Amer. colonial persecutions for witchcraft. In the town of Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, several young girls, stimulated by supernatural tales told by a W. Indian slave, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused three women of witchcraft. Under pressure, the accused women named others in false confessions. Encouraged by the clergy, a special civil court was convened with three judges, incl.
S. Sewall, to conduct the trials. They resulted in the conviction and hanging of 19 “witches” and the imprisonment of nearly 150 others. As public zeal abated, the trials were stopped and then condemned. The colonial legislature later annulled the convictions. Amer.
colonial persecutions for witchcraft. In the town of Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, several young girls, stimulated by supernatural tales told by a W. Indian slave, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused three women of witchcraft. Under pressure, the accused women named others in false confessions. Encouraged by the clergy, a special civil court was convened with three judges, incl. S.
Sewall, to conduct the trials. They resulted in the conviction and hanging of 19 “witches” and the imprisonment of nearly 150 others. As public zeal abated, the trials were stopped and then condemned. The colonial legislature later annulled the convictions.
At a General Town Meeting held at Salem, the 22 [of] March 1671/2 Voted, that all farmers that now are or hereafter shall [be] willing, to joyce together for providing a minister among themselves, whose habitations are above Ipswich Highway, [ ] the horse bridge to the wooden bridge at the hither end of [Mr. ] Endicot’s, plain, and from thence upon a west line, shall [have] liberty to have a minister by themselves, and when they shall [have] provided one and pay him maintainance that then they [shall] be discharged from their part of Salem ministers maintain[ance] and this to continue so long as the ministers abide with the[m] and Is maintained by them. Provided always, that they sh[all] bear all other Charges whatsoever among themselves both w[ith] respect to their meeting house, and ministers house or [ ] whatsoever in Carrying on this work, and also bear [their prop or]tion of all other publique charges in the towne. A true copy taken out of Salem towne bo[ok] Per TIMOTHY LIND ALL. [Clerk].
The Essay on Salem trials
The Salem Witchcraft Trials was brought on by some young women. They accused many different people of performing witchcraft. Those who said they were innocent were killed and those who said they were guilty were used to help find more witches. Lyle Koehler says “Yes” in his book,” A Search for Power: The ‘Weaker Sex’ in Seventeenth-Century New England.” He believes that women wanted more power, so ...
